The role of exosomal noncoding RNAs in cancer

• Published in: Molecular cancer Vol. 18; no. 1; pp. 37 - 10
• Main Authors: Xie, Yan, Dang, Wei, Zhang, Siwei, Yue, Wenxing, Yang, Li, Zhai, Xingyu, Yan, Qijia, Lu, Jianhong
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: England BioMed Central Ltd 09.03.2019; BioMed Central; BMC
• Subjects: Angiogenesis; Animals; Biomarkers; Biosynthesis; Bladder cancer; Breast cancer; Cancer; Cell Communication; Clinical trials; Dendritic cells; Deoxyribonucleic acid; Development and progression; DNA; Exosomes; Exosomes - metabolism; Function; Gene Expression Regulation, Neoplastic; Humans; Intracellular signalling; Lipids; Melanoma; Metastasis; MicroRNA; Neoplasms - genetics; Neoplasms - pathology; Noncoding RNAs; Physiological aspects; Plasma; Prostate; Proteins; Review; Ribonucleic acid; RNA; RNA, Untranslated - genetics; Stromal cells; Therapeutic applications; Tumor cells; Tumors; Vesicles; Function; Exosomes; Noncoding RNAs; Cancer
• ISSN: 1476-4598; 1476-4598
• DOI: 10.1186/s12943-019-0984-4

Extracellular vesicles (EVs) membranes enclose nanosized vesicles with a size range of 30-150 nm and are plentiful in our body in both physiological and pathological conditions. Exosomes, a type of EV, are important mediators of intracellular communication among tumor cells, immune cells, and stromal cells. They can shuttle bioactive molecules, such as proteins, lipids, RNA, and DNA; however, the precise function of EVs remains largely unknown. In recent years, tumor-associated cargo in exosomes has been a hot topic in research, especially with respect to noncoding RNAs (ncRNAs). Herein, we review the role of exosomal ncRNAs, including miRNAs and long noncoding RNAs, in tumor biological processes. Clinically, exosomal ncRNAs may eventually become novel biomarkers and therapeutic targets in cancer progression.